Onsite Consultations


Staff Developer: Andrew Gallagher

Date: Monday, February 25

Time: 11:00 - 13:00
School: MS 301 (08X301)
Principal: Mr. Benjamin Brasile
Grades: 6 - 8 (Middle School)
Other: Middle School Task Force School
Visit Overview:
I met with Mr. Brasile (Principal), who is very excited at the prospect of increasing technology instruction within his school. MS 301 is a Middle School Task Force School, and Mr. Basile is enthusiastic to learn of new ways he can assist his teachers and students in their use of technology. He personally gave me a tour of the school, showing me the computer labs, library and several classrooms. We returned to his office where I showed him our new OIT website, discussed professional development opportunities, and ideas for moving MS 301 forward with their technology integration.

The school is in the process of remodeling their library, thanks to the Robin Hood foundation. Their new facility will contain computer workstations and a SMART Board.

There are TWO computer labs, created for different reasons.
  1. This lab is used by a full time Technology teacher, who teaches applications (mainly MS Office) to supplement core subjects such as Math and ELA.
  2. This lab number is open for booking and reservations by content teachers, who use the facility to teach lessons within their own subject area and infusing technology.
There is a desire to move instruction in the direction of utlizing more online resources, and Mr. Brasile has requested I return to provide onsite PD sessions designed around our workshop on this topic. He also expressed an interest in providing a workshop on "Curriculum Mapping using Web 2.0 tools". This would be tailored for his A.Ps and coaches.

Technology Application(s) Covered:

Goals: During the articulation, the following goals were identified as achievable:
  • Goal One: Online Resources class to be provided onsite - Mr. Brasile will provide dates once testing week has concluded.
  • Goal Two: Curriculum Mapping class to be provided onsite - Mr. Brasile will provide dates once testing week has concluded

Items Discussed During Articulation: During the articulation with Mr. Basile, the following was discussed:
  • How to access PD opportunities for himself, his administrators, teachers, and students
  • How we can group instructional leaders / teachers to provide tailored PD
  • How MS 301 can integrate simple technology tools to enhance instruction within content areas.

Curricular Focus/Theme: During the articulation, the following curriculum focus was discussed:
  • How can the current (and future) curriculum be adapted to include technology instruction?
  • Content area teachers to be provided with onsite training in curriculum mapping. Mr. Basile wants shorter blocks of onsite PD as he is unable to release large numbers of teachers from their schedule.

Anticipated Outcomes:
  • Outcome 1: A follow-up email will confirm possible dates to return to MS 101 for onsite PD
  • Outcome 2: Instructional leaders will attend onsite PD, so as to gain greater knowledge of how curriculum mapping can be done more collaboratively
  • Outcome 3: Small groups of teachers will receive training in how to utilize and evaluate online resources within their content area.

Areas of Concern (if any):
Technology teacher is perhaps not as forward thinking as we would anticipate. This could be due to a lack of PD, lack of support, or lack of knowledge.

Extra Support Needed:
Mr. Brasile is very enthusiastic and open to new ideas. He is aware of the importance of technology, but needs ideas, and guidance
Model Site: (Yes/No): Not yet


Date: Tuesday, February 26

Time: 09:00 - 15:00
School: JHS 123 (08X123)
Principal: Ms. Virginia Connely
Grades: 6 - 8 (Middle School)
Other:
Visit Overview:
This was a site visit conducted at the same time as an onsite PD session was being provided by Sheila Graham. This was a SMART Board workshop requested by Tawanna Smith following her attendance at one of our OITX monthly meetings.

I met with Ms. Connelly (Principal), who is very supportive of technology integration. As our meeting was about to begin, three more SMART Boards arrived, that she had ordered.

Ms. Connelly has divided the school into TWO academies, one of which has a greater focus on Technology. Her desire is to assist teachers in the move to provide increased technology-enhanced instruction. Ms. Connelly would also like to look seriously at how the school can have their own website. JHS 123 has participated in the Dell TechKnow program for several years and would like to continue their participation.

JHS 123 has a full time Technology teacher, who has his own lab. He is responsible for teaching each grade, as an elective. Therefore, he sees each class 4 times each week. He teaches basic applications such as MS Office.

Technology Application(s) Covered:

Goals:
During the articulation, the following goals were identified as achievable:
  • Goal One: Look at ways to create a JHS 123 website.
  • Goal Two: Update server software and OS on the school Mac computers
  • Goal Three: Look at ways in which content area teachers can integrate technology into their subjects

Items Discussed During Articulation: During the articulation with Ms. Connelly, the following was discussed:
  • How to access PD opportunities for herself, her administrators, teachers, and students
  • How we can group instructional leaders / teachers to provide tailored PD
  • How MS 301 can integrate simple technology tools to enhance instruction within content areas.

Curricular Focus/Theme: During the articulation, the following curriculum focus was discussed:
  • How can the current (and future) curriculum be adapted to include technology instruction?
  • Content area teachers to be provided with onsite training in curriculum mapping. Mr. Basile wants shorter blocks of onsite PD as he is unable to release large numbers of teachers from their schedule.

Anticipated Outcomes:
  • Outcome 1: A follow-up email will confirm possible dates to return to MS 101 for onsite PD
  • Outcome 2: Instructional leaders will attend onsite PD, so as to gain greater knowledge of how curriculum mapping can be done more collaboratively
  • Outcome 3: Small groups of teachers will receive training in how to utilize and evaluate online resources within their content area.

Areas of Concern (if any):
Technology teacher is perhaps not as forward thinking as we would anticipate. This could be due to a lack of PD, lack of support, or lack of knowledge.

Extra Support Needed:
Mr. Brasile is very enthusiastic and open to new ideas. He is aware of the importance of technology, but needs ideas, and guidance
Model Site: (Yes/No): Not yet

Date: Tuesday, February 26
School:
Teacher:
Grade:
Classroom:
Period:
Technology Application(s) Covered:
Goals:
  • Goal One:
  • Goal Two:
Items Discussed During Articulation: During the articulation with....the following was taught....
  • How to...
  • How to...
Curricular Focus/Theme:
Instructional Skill(s):
*
Details of Classroom Collaboration:
*
Next Steps: (Follow-up Procedures):
*
Anticipated Outcomes:
  • Outcome 1:
  • Outcome 2:
Areas of Concern (if any):
*
Extra Support Needed:
*
Model Site: (Yes/No):
Other Teachers Serviced:
Questions/Comments:


Date: Wednesday,
School:
Teacher:
Grade:
Classroom:
Period:
Technology Application(s) Covered:
Goals:
  • Goal One:
  • Goal Two:
Items Discussed During Articulation: During the articulation with....the following was taught....
  • How to...
  • How to...
Curricular Focus/Theme:
Instructional Skill(s):
*
Details of Classroom Collaboration:
*
Next Steps: (Follow-up Procedures):
*
Anticipated Outcomes:
  • Outcome 1:
  • Outcome 2:
Areas of Concern (if any):
*
Extra Support Needed:
*
Model Site: (Yes/No):
Other Teachers Serviced:
Questions/Comments:


Date: Thursday,
School:
Teacher:
Grade:
Classroom:
Period:
Technology Application(s) Covered:
Goals:
  • Goal One:
  • Goal Two:
Items Discussed During Articulation: During the articulation with....the following was taught....
  • How to...
  • How to...
Curricular Focus/Theme:
Instructional Skill(s):
*
Details of Classroom Collaboration:
*
Next Steps: (Follow-up Procedures):
*
Anticipated Outcomes:
  • Outcome 1:
  • Outcome 2:
Areas of Concern (if any):
*
Extra Support Needed:
*
Model Site: (Yes/No):
Other Teachers Serviced:
Questions/Comments:


Date: Friday,
School:
Teacher:
Grade:
Classroom:
Period:
Technology Application(s) Covered:
Goals:
  • Goal One:
  • Goal Two:
Items Discussed During Articulation: During the articulation with....the following was taught....
  • How to...
  • How to...
Curricular Focus/Theme:
Instructional Skill(s):
*
Details of Classroom Collaboration:
*
Next Steps: (Follow-up Procedures):
*
Anticipated Outcomes:
  • Outcome 1:
  • Outcome 2:
Areas of Concern (if any):
*
Extra Support Needed:
*
Model Site: (Yes/No):
Other Teachers Serviced:
Questions/Comments: